My 1st 1/2 Marathon ... I did it!

My 1st 1/2 Marathon race is over and I crossed the finish line with 5 minutes to spare in my race goal. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Now, even a day later, it is starting to sink in. "I just ran 13.1 miles. Wow!!" I haven't decided if I am happier that I did it or that it is now over. I will not lie to you - it was tough. I watched in awe when those Marathon runners started crossing the finish line. Wow!! I can't imagine running 26.2 miles. Crazy!

Let me tell you all about it ...

5:30 am - Alarm goes off. It is officially time to get up. I had woke up at 3:19am and 5:00am to make sure I didn't miss the alarm. Get dressed. Eat something small. Check and re-check my supplies: MP3 player, knee pads, watch, energy bar, gloves, etc. Check and check!

6:05 am - My running buddy arrives. Yes!! We are both nervous but excited. Arrive at the race. Start hunting for a parking space. (Always a challenge) Find a spot. Attach running bibs and timing chips. Check for wardrobe malfunctions. Head to the port-a-potties. Yuck!!

7:00am - Meet up with friends. Shivering from the cold and the nerves. Laugh and giggle, we always manage to make every race fun. Take pictures and pray!

7:30am - Get into the massive crowd of people and get ready to start. No turning back. Ready, get set, go....

I felt great from the beginning. I usually hit a wall between 4-5 miles, so I was waiting and ready. No wall. Yes!! At mile 5 we are starting to see the first racers getting ready to pass mile 9. It was crazy. They were really moving. At mile 6 (the halfway turn) we did a little cheer. Only 6 more miles to go. No problem. At mile 8, I had to make a quick pit stop at the port-a-potties. Five babies will do this to you. I was still feeling good, so I was very encouraged. My left knee and hip had been giving me a little bit of pain, but nothing too bad. By mile 10, with every stride I was getting a pain. I tried not to think about it and listen to my music. At mile 11, I took a 30 second break and walked to try and stretch it out a bit, but it felt worse to walk. When I finally saw the finish line, I was so happy. I crossed the finish line at 2:25.36. Yes!! My goal was 2:30. I did it!! At the finish line my family and friends were there cheering me on. It was a wonderful feeling. I am fighting some pain, but I am sure that I will be feeling better in no time.

Crossing the finish line. I look a little scary! :)

Getting a much needed hug from the family!

My running buddies - Keri and Nikki. Great job ladies!!

Kallie in her first race. 1.2 miles. Over 700 kids racing!

Great job Kal. 8:35!! Wow! We are so proud of you!

Confessions of an amateur runner ...

It has been a while since I have posted about my training, so here is the latest ...

Training WAS going wonderful until the cold I got turned into bronchitis!! After 2 weeks of struggling with a cold and cough that was not getting better, I decided to head to the doctors and get checked out. She confirmed my fear and told me that I had bronchitis. I explained that I was in training for my first ever 1/2 marathon and I really needed to get back to training. She told me to take it easy and listen to my body. Check my heart rate and keep it between 140 and 160. Ok. No problem! Or so I thought. That afternoon, I ran 5 miles and felt ok. Not my best time, but I finished. I was bad and forgot my heart rate monitor, so I slowed down a bit when I needed to. That night my body punished me for my lack of wisdom. I slept a total of 2 to 3 hours and tried to cough up a lung the rest of the night. Great!! So I took it easy for a few days and it didn't seem to help. My friends told me to take time off and rest. I finally listened. I took a whole week off and did nothing, which was torture!! (I don't like to be off schedule) My first day back was a nightmare. I pulled 3-ish miles and walked a few times to prevent myself from falling over. My lung capacity was shot. I took a few more days and made a second attempt yesterday. It was better, but not easy. I ran 3 miles and struggled more than once for air. When I finished, I wanted to hit or throw something. I was so mad!!! I have not trained for 11 weeks to fail 2 weeks before my race!!! My new plan is to run 4 to 5 miles on Wed. and then take a break and run 10 miles on Sat. Ten miles will be a first for me. Pray that I can do it!! The weather is suppose to be beautiful, so that should help. I am slowly coming to the realization that in order to finish this 1/2 marathon, I may have to walk a little bit to make it. I really don't want to do that, but it is better than not finishing!! Update, coming soon :)

Confessions of an amateur runner ...

Today marks the end of week #6 in my 12 week training program for my first 1/2 marathon. Training has gone surprisingly well, but now I am getting scared. Truly, deeply scared!! On Friday, I mailed my registration form - the point of no return. No way am I going to back out now and waste my hard earned money (well, my husband's hard earned money.) BTW, thanks to my loving husband that totally supports me in this crazy plan to run a 1/2 marathon. He thinks I can do it. It always feels good to have someone on your side, cheering you on.

Today my training called for a 5-k Race, but I didn't find one, so I thought I would just race myself. The weather has been beautiful the last few days, so I was looking forward to a run outside in the sunshine. My body must of agreed with me because it felt so good to run w/o the treadmill :) I started so strong and felt like I was going at a pretty good pace. I decided to keep it up, just to see how well I could do. I almost fell over when I clocked my first mile at 8:41. What!!! Awesome!!! I was so excited, I believe I did a little victory leap. (Don't worry, I don't think anyone saw me) Now, for those "advanced runners" you may be laughing at my time, but to someone who usually averages a 10 min. mile, this was huge!! "In your face, treadmill, I knew that I was not running a 11 min. mile!" What is up with horrible times when I run on the treadmill? Well, that is for a later post!
Now when the excitement wore off, I realized that I could be in trouble. I was sucking wind and my body was screaming at me. I had to adjust my pace to finish, but I was ok with it. I finished my 5 miles in 47:53, under a 10 minute mile. Progress is an amazing motivator!! Week #7, watch out. I'm coming!!!